Refugees / Humanitarian & Compassionate​

Each year, millions of people are forced to flee their homelands to escape persecution, war or severe human rights abuses. Often these people can never return home.

The Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program helps thousands of refugees every year. You or your group can sponsor refugees from abroad who qualify to come to Canada.

As a sponsor, you provide financial and emotional support for the refugees for the duration of the sponsorship. This includes help for housing, clothing and food. Most sponsorships last for one year, but some refugees may be eligible for assistance from their sponsors for up to three years.

Refugees must qualify for entry under Canada’s laws and must pass medical and security checks before they can come to Canada.

People who would not normally be eligible to become permanent residents of Canada may be able to apply on humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) grounds.H&C grounds apply to people with exceptional cases. Applications to become a permanent resident based onH&Cgrounds are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Factors that are looked at include: